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This was sent to all members of the Yellow Rose Squadron. As OPS Officer, I concurred with Ray's suggestion and sent out notices that the trip to SNF was scrubbed. I'm not even booking any appearances until the plane is back in the air and has 5 - 10 hours on the new engine. This should ensure that there is no pressure what-so-ever on the maintenance team to push and rush and maybe miss something.
There is a mention of a part aft of the bomb bay that was found to have severe intergranular corrosion. It wasn't on the original gig list, but was found as we went over the Rose with an even "finer toothed comb". I'm going to get some better information on this from Ray after the Rose is in the air again and his schedule slows down a bit, and I'll post it. I think it's something all B-25 operators will need to check out, unless they want to look like a B-2 for a few seconds!
Here's Ray's E-mail:
Subj: Yellow Rose Sun 'N Fun Status
Well, here is the email I've been trying so hard not to have to send....
There was no progress made on the wing today and there remains a couple of days work to do. I haven't heard from Henry, the structures guy volunteering his time to help us, and whether he can work Saturday or not, the wing probably won't be ready until Tuesday. Gary can probably bring the wing out to us Wednesday. While we can hang the wing in an hour or so, installing and torquing the 300 or so bolts will take a couple of days. It took two days to get them all out. Only four people can be involved in the bolt-up process as the only access inside the wing is through the oil cooler opening.
Once the wing is on, the oil coolers have to go on. This is a painful
process, too, and only two can work this step. All of the control cables then have to be rigged and tested for correct tension. This affects the entire control lock system, which also must be checked. With everything (all oil, fuel, electrical, etc.) hooked up and the oil cooler cover plate in place, the aircraft can be jacked up for the retract test for the "B" inspection.
A critical structural bracket was found to have very severe intergranular
corrosion and is being replaced. The new part won't be ready until
mid-week, most likely, and since this part is involved in attaching the rear fuselage at the bomb bay, we shouldn't run the engines without it due to the stress on the rudders. Once that part is in place and the wing is completely done, we can set up and pre-oil BOTH engines. We will have at least three people with written instructions cross checking each step of the pre-oil process to ensure that it is done right this time. Only then can we start the engines.
There is also the issue of the maintenance and pilot and co-pilot PPE
flights to consider. I would want to give the plane a pretty good looking over after each flight for any problems, and that would eat up more time.
With all that said, I just don't see at this time how we can safely have
the aircraft ready to take off for Florida Thursday morning. Even if the
wing was in the hangar right now, ready to hang, we would have to work long hours every day to be ready in time, if it is possible at all. None of this allows for any obstacles that Professor Murphy would throw in our way, and we all know how busy he has been with us lately. I don't want to see us fall vitcim to the same "airshowitis" that cost the Yellow Rose Squadron, and the Devil Dog, so dearly last year.
I was scheduled to be on the crew for the Sun 'N Fun trip, and am hugely disappointed that the Rose won't be there. But in the best interest of the
CAF, the Yellow Rose, all who will fly on her, and all whom she will fly
over, I must, as Maintenance Officer, recommend that we cancel plans to attend Sun 'N Fun 2009.
I sincerely apologize to the entire Squadron for missing yet another show. I'm looking forward to having the Rose back in the air very soon and having a very productive rest-of-the-season and, with some good, regular maintenance, many more great years.
Thanks,
Ray Clausen
Maintenance Officer
Yellow Rose Squadron
_________________
Mike
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